I came across this piece by North Carolina-based artist Clarence Heyward today, and I had to share. This painting of his daughter gave me a much-needed attitude adjustment after a very long week that included me repeatedly posting the same gifof an adorably cranky cat that perfectly suited my mood over the last couple of … Continue reading Artist a Day: Clarence Heyward
While I was out for a walk today in downtown Raleigh I stopped to have a chat with a man that works nearby and I found out that he’s a cowboy. We ended up talking about animals and his dream of one day owning a horse, which ended up dovetailing into a convo about the … Continue reading Artist a Day: Ron Tarver
Today’s post combines math, data visualization, and mysticism all within a single song. Yesterday while I writing, I was listening to some jazz and John Coltrane’s 11383 (Take 1) randomly played. About three-quarters of the way through the song, a bass solo by Jimmy Garrison suddenly reminded me of a hip hop sample that was … Continue reading Artist a Day: John Coltrane
Today’s post features one of my favorite murals in downtown Raleigh that holds a unique connection to Raleigh’s history. In 2017 artist Dare Coulter was commissioned by the ACLU and the Raleigh Murals Project to create “Dare to Dissent”, a tribute to the legacy of protest and activism throughout history. Coulter’s murals are important … Continue reading Artist a Day: Dare Coulter
Beauford Delaney was born in Knoxville TN in 1901 and raised in a southern Baptist family with two budding artists. Beauford and his brother had a strong aptitude for art and their skills were cultivated locally until the artist moved to Boston to continue his studies. Delaney would later settle in New York and become … Continue reading Artist a Day: Beauford Delaney
In 2017 director Matthew Cherry announced a Kickstarter campaign to produce a short film about a little girl’s natural hair journey. At the time, artist Vashti Harrison was garnering a large social media following for her beautiful illustrations that capture the magic that’s found in the simple joys of childhood. Her expressive characters could be … Continue reading Artist a Day: Vashti Harrison
Last year I wrote a piece about a lowrider motorcycle exhibition called Viva Viclas at CAM Raleigh, and one of the things that struck me during the research for the piece was how Black and brown motorcyclists formed strong connections in the early years of motorcycle and chopper culture. I wonder what happened, because those … Continue reading Artist a Day (Design Edition): Cliff Vaughs
Over the last 3 weeks I’ve seen the laudatory reviews and images on Noah Davis’s solo show at David Zwirner and one painting keeps sticking out to me. It features a little girl in a dress with white knee-high socks and a pair of t-strap Mary Janes. The little girl’s hands are politely folded in … Continue reading Artist a Day: Noah Davis
I have few words today, so I will let David Hammons do the talking. Injustice Case (1971) is part of his body print series and is in reference to the judicial misconduct against Bobby Seale who was on trial for conspiracy as a member of the Chicago Eight. After Seale was refused an attorney of … Continue reading Artist a Day: David Hammons
As we commemorate the birthday of Rosa Parks today, I wanted to highlight the work of an artist who not only honored Parks, but also created a series of works that celebrate the women of the Montgomery Alabama Bus Boycott of 1955-1956. These women are not as well known as Parks, but became an important … Continue reading Artist a Day: Lava Thomas
